On the morning of 2/10, the Vietnam Maritime Forum 2026, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, opened in Hanoi under the theme "International cooperation and integration in building Vietnam into a strong maritime nation".

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Trung Tinh proposed four directions for international cooperation to enhance Vietnam's marine science and technology capabilities. These include: developing marine research organizations; mastering advanced technologies; connecting ocean data; and attracting international experts.

According to Mr. Tinh, the sea and ocean are globally interconnected spaces where no nation can unilaterally address increasingly complex challenges related to resources, environment, climate, and sustainable development. Therefore, international cooperation must be a pillar of marine science and technology.

The first direction proposed by the Deputy Minister is to enhance the capacity of Vietnam's marine research organizations, aiming for a leading position in ASEAN. The Ministry of Science and Technology will establish a legal framework and promote links between domestic research institutes and universities with world-leading ocean research centers.

Additionally, Vietnam needs to strengthen research cooperation, acquire, transfer, and master advanced marine technologies. Priority areas include: autonomous underwater vehicles, ocean remote sensing, high-speed submarine cables, undersea data centers, offshore renewable energy, and marine biotechnology.

Vietnam plans to prioritize cooperation with nations strong in marine technology, such as: Japan, Germany, Italy, the United States, Australia, and Russia.

The third direction involves building and connecting ocean data infrastructure with regional and global networks. The Ministry of Science and Technology will participate in ocean data and observation programs within the framework of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and multilateral cooperation mechanisms like the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.

Finally, the Ministry of Science and Technology will establish specific mechanisms to attract leading international experts and scientists to directly participate in Vietnam's key marine science and technology programs.

Associate Professor, Doctor Tran Trung Tinh, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, speaks at the Vietnam Maritime Forum 2026, on the morning of 2/10. Photo: Giang Huy

According to the Deputy Minister, marine science diplomacy will serve as a bridge for Vietnam to access advanced knowledge and technology, participate more deeply in global research networks, and contribute initiatives to resolve common issues concerning the sea and ocean.

"Science helps us understand the sea. Technology helps us master the sea. Innovation helps us prosper from the sea. Digital transformation helps us manage the sea more effectively," Mr. Tinh stated, adding that technological self-reliance also contributes to protecting national sovereignty and interests at sea.

Shifting from resource exploitation to modern marine governance

Mr. Nguyen Duy Hung, Deputy Head of the Central Policy and Strategy Committee, believes that to become a strong maritime nation, Vietnam must build its internal marine strength, transitioning from growth heavily reliant on expanding investment to one driven by productivity, knowledge, technology, and human capital.

According to him, international cooperation on maritime issues must yield tangible results in terms of capital, technology, knowledge, human resources, infrastructure, governance, and markets. This is also a vital resource given the substantial investment needs for seaports, logistics, energy, coastal urban areas, environmental protection, and climate change response, while domestic resources are limited.

Vietnam therefore needs to increase connections with financial institutions, investment funds, strategic investors, and international green finance sources; concurrently, it must promote cooperation in science and technology, digital transformation, and marine data development.

Mr. Nguyen Duy Hung, Deputy Head of the Central Policy and Strategy Committee, speaks at the Vietnam Maritime Forum 2026, on the morning of 2/10. Photo: Giang Huy

Mr. Hung emphasized that marine economic development must go hand in hand with environmental protection, ecosystem restoration, climate change response, and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.

"Economic development cannot come at the expense of the environment, biodiversity, and the resilience of ecosystems," he asserted.

Earlier, National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyen Doan Anh delivered the opening remarks, noting that Resolution 20 of the Central Committee marked a shift from a purely resource exploitation mindset to modern marine governance, green marine economic development, and unified management of national marine space.

"The sea is a crucial foundation of national comprehensive strength. Building and developing Vietnam into a strong maritime nation is a long-term national development strategy," he said.

National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyen Doan Anh speaks at the Vietnam Maritime Forum 2026, on the morning of 2/10. Photo: Giang Huy

According to the National Assembly Vice Chairman, science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation are the driving forces for mastering knowledge, combining socio-economic development with environmental protection, sovereignty, and national security.

He believes that a stronger Vietnam at sea must also contribute more to peace, cooperation, and sustainable development. Vietnam will continue to work with partners to contribute to peace, stability, and sustainable development in the East Sea based on international law, particularly the United Nations Charter and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The Vietnam Maritime Forum 2026 includes a high-level orientation session on the 2026-2030 action program and three parallel thematic sessions. The content focuses on: mobilizing resources, developing marine infrastructure and logistics; marine science, technology, data, and governance; and local international cooperation linked to environmental protection, livelihoods, and coastal community values.

Vu Tuan